Wanderlove Kirsten Hubbard Book Review

This is an Allison Review!

You don’t know about my past, and I don’t have a future figured out
And maybe this is going too fast and maybe it’s not meant to last
But what do you say to taking chance
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there’s solid ground below
Or hand to hold or hell to pay

What do you say … what do you say?

~Taking Chances — Celine Dion

When I first heard about Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard I thought this is a book that I have to read. As usual though, other things and other books came first but, when it came time to decide what would be the first book to purchase on my new Nook, Wanderlove seemed to be the perfect answer. Especially since I was preparing to depart for NYC for BEA. Now BEA might not be the Central American jungle by any stretch of the imagination but, I will admit that there were times that I wanted to be like Bria, and throw caution to the wind and go exploring and find my own adventure (and cute, mysterious boy) but alas I didn’t. What I did do however was find a new book that I absolutely LOVED.

Wanderlove

What did I love about Wanderlove? I loved the sense of adventure and mystery that it contained. Like I said, this book made me desperately want to go on my own backpacking adventure experience. That in itself is quite remarkable seeing as how I’ve always wanted to travel but backpacking was never in the plans. I’m just not really a physical, outdoors, kind of girl. Walking? Sure. Hiking? Eh. A little. Camping? One or two nights. I can handle those types of things for a certain length of time but backpacking? Not so sure about that which is kind of sad because I see myself in Bria and I want to be able to let go like she did.

Bria was a very interesting character for me because she reminded me of myself in many ways. Her inability to dive into situations due to the fear of the outcome or because of something that has already happened is so like me it’s ridiculous. Also, the fear of being judged for her actions is also a lot like me as well. Notably, I can’t related to Bria’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend, with her parents, o with her “best friends” but those aspects of her life made her even more enjoyable as a character, and made her interactions with Rowan that much more intense.

Ahh. Rowan. Mysterious, dark, sexy, brooding Rowan. I adore you … and your love for books. I love what you represent about leaving the past behind you and how you bring that out in Bria. Even when you were frustrating me regarding your secret past, I came to realize that it didn’t matter because I would still join you on a Wanderlove trip any day. It’s true. I would. Because I kind of have a thing for you even though you’re a fictional character. Major kudos to Kirsten Hubbard for having the ability to make me do that.

Ultimately, Wanderlove is a story of taking chances, making mistakes, and having the freedom and the ability to do both and to learn and grow from all of it. It’s free flowing but intense at all the appropriate moments. I loved the setup of the text along with the amazing art sketches that the book contained. Not only is Kirsten Hubbard a gifted writer but she is also a very talented artist as well. It was very nice and refreshing to see the two components put together so well in the story. For me, Wanderlove felt like it was read at the perfect time; and I have a feeling it will be sticking with me for a good time to come.

Disclosure: Purchased copy for my Nook

April’s review of Wanderlove: